Shloka 86

कुम्भकर्णवधः

The Slaying of Kumbhakarna

Devanagari script

एवंगृहीतेनकथंनुनामशक्यंमयासम्प्रतिकर्तुमद्य ।तथाकरिष्यामियथाहरीणांभविष्यतीष्टं च हितं च कार्यम् ।।।।

Transliteration

evaṁ gṛhītena kathaṁ nu nāma śakyaṁ mayā sampratikartum adya |

tathā kariṣyāmi yathā harīṇāṁ bhaviṣyati iṣṭaṁ ca hitaṁ ca kāryam ||

Translation

「このように捕らえられて、いまの私に何ができようか」と彼は思った。「それでも、猿軍にとって益となり、また喜ばれるように振る舞い、なすべき務めを成し遂げてみせよう。」

Word by Word

एवम्thus

गृहीतेनby (his) being seized

कथम्how

नुindeed (question particle)

नामat all; indeed

शक्यम्possible

मयाby me

सम्प्रतिnow

कर्तुम्to do

अद्यtoday; now

तथाin that way

करिष्यामिI will do

यथाso that

हरीणाम्of the monkeys

भविष्यतिwill be

इष्टम्desired; pleasing

चand

हितम्beneficial

चand

कार्यम्the task to be done

Context

'Caught in this way, how can I do (take action)? I will do what is possible, pleasing, and good to Vanaras now.'

Characters & Entities

Sugrīva

Vānara-s (harīṇām)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

A leader’s dharma is to choose action that serves the collective good (hita) and rightful aim (kārya), not merely personal impulse or revenge.

What is the narrative situation?

While physically restrained, Sugrīva evaluates what response is feasible and resolves to act for the welfare of the Vānara forces.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsible leadership: prioritizing the army’s welfare and the mission over ego.